Life-long learning and continuing education are imperative to today’s practicing physical therapist.  While PT schools now incorporate didactic and clinical learning in women’s health first professional education, there are also many opportunities available for the practicing women’s health practitioner.  The SOWH is a leader in providing an array of quality professional development opportunities for women’s health clinicians that work to advance Vision 2020 of the APTA.  Here is a brief outline of some of the existing opportunities as well as a chart that assists the clinician in choosing the method that best fits their goals, needs, and lifestyles.  Download our opportunities comparison chart

Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic PT (CAPP-pelvic)

The Section on Women’s Health (SoWH) has developed the Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy (CAPP) to certify that a physical therapist has completed a comprehensive education, training, and testing program for the treatment of patients with diagnoses of pelvic floor dysfunction, such as urinary incontinence and pelvic pain.  The CAPP is awarded to physical therapists who complete three courses of training in pelvic physical therapy, pass written and clinical testing requirements at each level, and complete a written case report.  The opportunity exists for clinicians to utilize their years of experience and past coursework to obtain this certification by applying for the transitional CAPP (tCAPP). More Information

Certificate of Achievement in Pregnancy/Postpartum (CAPP-obstetrics)

The SOWH is currently in the process of developing a Certificate of Achievement in obstetrics to certify that a PT has completed a series of 3 courses that contain the academic and clinical skills necessary for the treatment of patients with pregnancy related neuromusculoskeletal conditions.  The CAPP will be awarded to PTs who complete the 3 courses, pass both written and clinical assessments for each level, and successfully complete a written case report.   Policies will exist for participants to apply for the tCAPP-obstetrics in order to receive credit for years of experience practicing in this area as well as for past continuing education coursework in this area.  Look for these courses to begin in 2009. More Information

Residency Education

A clinical residency is a planned program of post professional clinical and didactic education designed to advance the PT resident’s preparation as a provider of care in women’s health clinical practice.  The learning experience is a combination of an educational component addressing clinical theory and scientific inquiry as well as clinical supervision and mentoring.  Clinical residencies base their curriculum off of the most recent “Description of Specialty Practice” (DSP).  This document is based off analyses of the subset of skills required of a women’s health specialist and covers all aspects of women’s health PT.  A residency is geared to fully prepare the clinician to sit for the ABPTS Clinical Specialist Examination upon completion.  Residency programs generally range from 9 -12 months in length. More Information

ABPTS Clinical Specialist

A women’s health clinical specialist (WCS) has proven they have the knowledge, skill, and experience exceeding that of the physical therapist at entry to the profession and unique to the area of women’s health practice by successfully passing the Women’s Health Clinical Specialist Examination which will be available for the first time in Feb/March 2009.  The WCS examination is a comprehensive assessment of all areas noted in the Description of Specialty Practice.  More Information

Download our opportunities comparison chart